By Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

PORTSMOUTH — Add the Chesapeake Panthers to the long list of contenders in the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Panthers proved they are a threat after a 61-53 win over the Portsmouth Trojans on Friday.

The Panthers are 6-3 overall but 2-2 in the OVC, one game out of second place and two behind leader Ironton. Portsmouth is 6-2 and 3-1 in the league.

Portsmouth trailed 11-8 after a putback by Luke Stine only to have the Panthers Ethan Kerns drill a 3-pointer and Maddox Kazee make a layup as the lead went to 16-8 at the end of the first quarter.

Kerns made it 18-8 to begin the second quarter and his 2 free throws opened up a 27-17 lead with 2:14 left in the half.

But Deandre Berry made a layup and Isaiah Lewis had his own layup and then knocked down a 3-pointer to get the Trojans within 27-24 at the half.

Berry hit a 3-pointer early the second half and it was 32-29, but Chesapeake came up with 3 straight steals that turned into layups and the lead was 38-29.

Leland Scurlock made 3 free throws with 42 seconds left in the quarter and the Panthers’ lead was 40-33.

Portsmouth trailed 48-44 to start the fourth quarter only to have Kazee make a layup and Kaden Perkins get a steal and layup as the lead went to 52-44.

A 3-pointer and then 2 free shows by Lamarkus Parker got the Trojans within 52-49 with a minute to play.

But Chesapeake turned up the clutch meter over the final 31 seconds by making 7-of-8 free throws.

Kazee hit one with 31 seconds to play only to have Berry answer with one for the Trojans.

Kazee and Braxton Oldaker each went 2-for-2 at the line before Berry’s 3-pointer made it 57-50 with 21 seconds left.

Dannie Maynard hit 2 more foul shots and his layup before the clock ran outs set the final score.

Mayard and Kazee scored 13 points each and Kerns had 12 to lead the Panthers.

Berry and Malchi Loper scored 14 each for Portsmouth.

Chesapeake 16 11 13 21 = 61

Portsmouth 8 16 9 20 = 53

CHESAPEAKE (6-3, 2-2): Ethan Kerns 3 1 3-3 12, Caleb Cox 3 0 0-0 6, Kaden Perkins 3 0 0-0 6, Dannie Maynard 4 1 2-2 13, Philip Thacker 0 2 0-0 6, Maddox Kazee 4 0 5-8 13, Braxton Oldaker 0 0 2-2 2, Jacob Skeens 1 0 1-3 3. Totals: 18 4 13-18 61.

PORTSMOUTH (6-2, 3-1): Isaiah Lewis 1 1 1-2 6, Donovan Breech 3 0 0-0 6, Malachi Loper 1 3 3-4 14, LeVaughn Cobb 0 1 0-0 3, Leland Scurlock 1 0 4-5 6, Luke Stine 2 0 0-1 4, Deandre Berry 4 1 3-5 14. Totals: 12 6 11-17 53.